The collection represents the research of Don J. Wood of Sandusky, Ohio. His interest in early shipping and shipbuilding along Lake Erie's western basin, led to his attempt to document individuals and businesses associated specifically with the city of Sandusky in Erie County, Ohio.

Shipping and shipbuilding began among the pioneers of Lake Erie's western basin shortly before the War of 1812. Hides, fish, and lumber were transported to Buffalo, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, and Erie, Pennsylvania. In exchange, eastern markets provided manufactured goods, textiles, and finished lumber products. As more acreage in the Black Swamp came under cultivation, northwest Ohioans sought ways to transport their grain and livestock products to eastern markets. Water routes remained the safest and fastest means of transporting goods. New York merchants frequently joined forces with Ohio traders in financing the construction of ships capable of carrying large amounts of grain, fish, and lumber to other lake ports. Later, immigrants settling in the Midwest made frequent use of the passenger routes from Buffalo, New York to Sandusky, Ohio.

The collection consists of Don J. Wood's documentation of individuals involved in shipping and shipbuilding in the city of Sandusky, Ohio (Erie County). Using biographical sketches, vessel registers, censuses, and estate records, Mr. Wood identified over 250 individuals. Although his research identifies shipping personnel as early as 1800 and as late as 1940, the bulk of those identified were employed during the latter half of the nineteenth century. The amount of individual data varies considerably. Profiles appear for six shipping companies that existed in Sandusky, Ohio during the twentieth century.